Sourcing Startups
Sourcing startups that fit your long-term goals: inbound sourcing funnels, synthetic incentives and bridging international ecosystems.
How do you stop good startup opportunities stalling between scouting and adoption inside the business?
The group compared startup scouting strategies: attracting the right startups instead of chasing them, enticing partners to build niche solutions, getting internal stakeholders comfortable with early-stage risk, and bridging gaps between international ecosystems.
Five key insights
- 01Encourage startups to build niche solutions
Synthetic incentives, such as paying an initial premium, entice startups into a market they would otherwise skip.
- 02Use sales techniques to boost scouting
Content pieces as lead magnets create an inbound flow in the sourcing funnel.
- 03Win internal stakeholders with the strategic story
Early on it is a learning path; the goal is a well-oiled machine where the right startups surface consistently.
- 04Bridge international scouting gaps
Government initiatives and local accelerators connect ecosystems, while your region's unique opportunities attract global startups.
- 05Diversify the scouting approach
Events, online forums, roundtables and a dedicated innovation manager all open dialogues with relevant startups.
Where to start on Monday
Narrow your next scouting round to one specific domain to filter out unsuitable candidates early.
Turn one strong content piece into a lead magnet for startups and measure the inbound it creates.
Run the first pilot through a venture client setup, with procurement onboarding the startup as a sub-supplier.
In members’ own words
“Getting stakeholders on board with startup projects is all about showing them the bigger picture. Yes, there might be bumps on the road initially, but it's a journey towards something much bigger.”
Be in the room for the next one.
400+ senior innovation and growth leaders, a roundtable every month, and a recap like this one after each.
Invite-only and complimentary for senior leaders in corporate innovation and growth.